Ten Northwest Indiana nurses received awards for this year’s “Nurses: The Heart of Health Care” event. They were united by a somewhat obvious, but increasingly significant fact: They were all human.
The Times of Northwest Indiana President Thomas Schager poses with Cathy Keen, one of 10 nurses honored for this year's “Nurses: The Heart of Health Care” awards ceremony.
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Jazmin Encarnacion, an RN at Franciscan Health, splits her time between the Franciscan ER and the NICU at Methodist Hospitals.
Ten nurses were honored for this year's “Nurses: The Heart of Health Care” awards ceremony.
Ten nurses were honored for this year's “Nurses: The Heart of Health Care” awards ceremony. The seven shown were presented with awards Wednesday afternoon at Villa Cesare in Schererville.
Nurses: The Heart of Health Care 2026
Get Healthy: Nurses: Christine Eggleston RN, BSN Methodist Hospitals
Christine Eggleston, an RN at Methodist Hospitals, describes being a float nurse, assigned to departments as needed, and the rewarding human connection..
When her 12-hour shifts are over, Christine Eggleston unwinds among her more than 150 houseplants.
“I just got an orchid to rebloom. I’ve never been able to do that so I’m pretty proud.”
Get Healthy: Nurses: Jazmin Encarnacion RN, BSN, Franciscan Health
Jazmin Encarnacion, an RN at Franciscan Health, splits her time between the Franciscan ER and the NICU at Methodist Hospitals.
“Jazmin is not just a nurse by trade; she is a nurse by calling.”
That's how Kiki Encarnacion describes be daughter, Jazmin Encarnacion, who is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Get Healthy; Nurses: Judi Gustafson RN, NorthShore Health Centers
Judi Gustafson, RN and clinical triage nurse at NorthShore Health Centers, finds rewards in educating and comforting patients
Judi Gustafson has built her nursing career on a simple but powerful goal: Helping patients feel heard, safe and cared for no matter the circumstance.
That commitment has earned her recognition as a top nurse in the Region by peer review and from colleagues who have seen her impact first-hand.
Get Healthy: Nurses: Megan Henderson RN, Northwest Cancer Centers
Megan Henderson, RN at Northwest Cancer Centers, finds it an honor to be with patients at the toughest time of their life.
Like many nurses, Megan Henderson was drawn to the calling by a personal experience.
When she was just 6 years old, her father was diagnosed with Wegener's vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease. And even at such a young age, Henderson was amazed by the care and dedication of the people helping him through his treatment.
Get Healthy: Nurses: Cheryl Hutnick BSN, RN, Methodist Hospitals
Cheryl Hutnick, RN at Methodist Hospitals, notes she has learned much from patients as an acute case manager.
When Cheryl Hutnick graduated from high school, the Lake Station native headed to Wabash Valley College in Illinois to play basketball.
Her major was still elusive.
Get Healthy: Nurses: Michelle Hynek RN, Belvedere Senior Housing
Michelle Hynek, RN at Belvedere Senior Housing, keeps an open door for staff and residents at the assisted living facility.
When registered nurse Michelle Hynek speaks of the residents at Belvedere Senior Housing, she refers to them as her 126 grandmas and grandpas.
It’s a reflection of the deep personal bonds she builds with her patients, says Andrea Puente, the facility’s marketing director.
Get Healthy: Nurses: Olivia Kabella LPN, RN, Northwest Cancer Centers
Olivia Kabella, RN at Northwest Cancer Centers, loves to help people in their hard days, especially in oncology.
Olivia Kabella, an infusion nurse, has worked with cancer patients for 10 years, first at St. Mary Medical Center and now at Northwest Cancer Centers.
For many, this challenging job might be emotionally overwhelming, but Kabella, a licensed practical nurse and registered nurse, takes a different view.
Get Healthy: Nurses: Cathy Keen RN, Northwest Cancer Centers
Cathy Keen, RN at Northwest Cancer Centers, loves being with and learning about patients when administering cancer therapies.
Cathy Keen has been a registered nurse for almost nine years, a second career she pursued later in life.
“I have worn many hats in my lifetime. After high school I studied accounting and worked in the business world for many years,” she said.
Get Healthy: Nurses: Dana Moriarty RN, Northwest Cancer Centers
Dana Moriarty, RN, Northwest Cancer Centers, has learned how to appreciate life from her patients.
Though Dana Moriarty began her nursing career in the Intermediate Care Unit at a local hospital, it wasn’t until two years later that her true path became clear.
After her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Moriarty accompanied her to chemotherapy treatments, where she witnessed the close relationships infusion nurses had built with their patients.
Get Healthy: Nurses: Sheva Robinson RN, Methodist Hospitals
Sheva Robinson, RN at Methodist Hospitals, uses nursing as a way to make a difference in someone's life.
Sometimes the notion of pursuing a career in nursing doesn’t involve direct exposure to a health care setting.
For Portage resident Sheva Robinson simply growing up in a big family as the seventh of 12 children was enough to clearly demonstrate the importance of caring for others.
Nurses: The Heart of Health Care: Judges
Julie Kerns, BSN, MS-Health Informatics, assistant vice president, Patient Care Services, Methodist Hospitals
Amanda Kratovil-Mailhiot, PhD, RN, associate professor of nursing at Purdue University Northwest
Elizabeth Marcotte, FNP, associate director Nurse Practitioner, NorthShore Health Centers
Jennifer Philbin
